Pituitary Macroadenoma

A pituitary macroadenoma is a non-cancerous growth in the pituitary gland that is more than 10 mm in size. When determining the type of pituitary macroadenoma a person has, doctors look at what kinds of hormones it produces -- if any -- and what symptoms the person has. Symptoms of a pituitary macroadenoma vary, but may include headaches, vision problems, vomiting, and dizziness. Pituitary macroadenoma treatment options may include surgery, radiation therapy, and drug therapy.

Pituitary Macroadenoma: An Introduction

A pituitary macroadenoma is a benign (non-cancerous) growth in the pituitary gland that is larger than 10 millimeters in size. A pituitary macroadenoma differs from a pituitary microadenoma, which is smaller than 10 millimeters.

Understanding the Pituitary Gland

The pituitary gland, sometimes called the master gland, plays a critical role in regulating growth and development, metabolism, and reproduction. The pituitary gland produces a number of key hormones, including:

Prolactin, which stimulates the breasts to produce milk during pregnancy. After delivery of the baby, a mother's prolactin levels fall unless she breastfeeds her infant. Each time the baby nurses, prolactin levels rise to maintain milk production.

Thyrotropin, which signals the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormone.

Growth hormone, which regulates growth.

Luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone, which regulate ovulation and estrogen and progesterone production in women, and sperm formation and testosterone production in men.

ACTH (adrenocorticotropin), which stimulates the adrenal glands to produce cortisol.

The pituitary gland sits in the middle of the head in a bony box called the sella turcica.

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